The Lady Buffs open the 2026 season with a double‑header at The Pitch, the university's soccer stadium in Canyon, Texas. On August 27 the team hosts Western Colorado at 3:00 p.m., and two days later, on August 29, New Mexico Highlands visits at 3:30 p.m. Both contests will be broadcast live on Flo Sports, giving fans across the country a chance to follow the action as it unfolds.
A Revamped Roster
Head Coach Turk Ozturk returns for his second full season, bringing continuity to a program that finished 2025 with a 7‑9‑2 overall record and a 4‑9‑1 mark in the Lone Star Conference. The squad retains key contributors such as goalkeeper Franciezca Blancaflor, defender Ryann Davis and midfielder Sienna Hurrell, while also welcoming nine transfers and nine freshmen. New arrivals include Riley Sims, Sofia Rogers, TaiLee Long and Izzy Blancaflor, adding depth to an already competitive lineup.
Coaching Continuity
Ozturk’s leadership was highlighted by a 10th‑place finish in the LSC standings last year and a preseason poll that projected the Lady Buffs to finish 10th again with 266 points and 38 first‑place votes. The coaching staff’s stability appears to be paying dividends, as the team looks to improve on its recent 4‑0‑1 streak in season openers, a run that includes back‑to‑back victories over Western Colorado in 2025.
Streaming and Real‑Time Stats
Flo Sports will provide live coverage of both matches, complete with in‑game statistics supplied by West Texas A&M’s analytics team. The broadcast aims to give viewers a deeper look at player performances, including highlights from returning standouts such as Aaliyah McPeak, Alair Posard and the newly signed midfielder Bailee Ramirez.
Looking Forward
The upcoming fixtures mark the 31st year of Lady Buff Soccer and the program’s 20‑7‑3 record in season openers. With a blend of seasoned veterans and promising newcomers, the team hopes to climb higher than the 10th‑place preseason projection. The matches against Western Colorado, who entered the season with a 2‑12‑5 record but return All‑RMAC first‑team forward Natsuki Murakami, and New Mexico Highlands, projected to finish last in the RMAC, will serve as early barometers for the Lady Buffs’ aspirations.